Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist

The Animal Humane Society is looking for an experienced payroll and human resources professional to join our team as the Payroll & Total Rewards Specialist. This role is responsible for payroll processing and the administration of all total rewards programs. This position’s key responsibilities include bi-weekly payroll processing, reconciliations, monthly reporting and analysis, leave of absence administration, and maintaining total rewards enrollments/terminations. This role requires a strong understanding of payroll regulations, total rewards timelines and leave of absence and disability laws.

Salary: $65,000-75,000 annually

Schedule/Location:

• Full Time, Monday - Friday during operational hours

• Location: This is a hybrid position based out of our Golden Valley. This role is required to be on-site a minimum of 2x per week. Must live in or have easy access to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

Essential Functions

Payroll Processing:

• Process timely and accurate biweekly payrolls by managing payroll data including new hires, terminations, and pay/benefit changes, reviewing timecards, and calculating wages.
• Process supplemental and off-cycle payrolls such as bonuses, corrections, and separations.
• Maintain current documented procedures for payroll activities.
• Maintain and update employee records, including tax information and other payroll-related data.
• Monitor payroll inbox, respond to inquiries and resolve issues related to timecards and payroll.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local payroll laws and regulations, including taxes and withholdings.
• Manage 401(k) activities and interact with 401(k) provider to ensure proper handling of employee payroll contributions, loan repayments, and contribution changes.
• Recommend and implement efficiencies to improve payroll processing and employee satisfaction.
• Identify and implement process modifications based on changes in rules, regulations, and emerging issues and trends.
• Research and assist in reconciling vendor statements.
• Support internal and external audits and preparation of work papers.

Total Rewards Administration:

• Respond to benefits inquiries from managers and employees on plan provisions, benefits enrollments, status changes and other general inquiries.
• Ensure the accuracy of all benefits enrollments in the HRIS to provide vendors with accurate eligibility information.
• Perform audits of benefits-related data.
• Distribute all benefits enrollment materials and determine eligibility.
• Assist with the open enrollment process.
• Enroll employees with carriers and process life status changes.
• Assist employees regarding benefits claim issues and plan changes.
• Respond to 401(k) inquiries from managers and employees relating to enrollments, plan changes and contribution amounts. Manage the annual catch-up contribution enrollment.
• Coordinate workers’ compensation claims with third-party administrator.  Follow up on claims.
• Process and administer all leave-of-absence requests and disability paperwork, including but not limited to FMLA, PFML, Parental, disability, bereavement and unpaid.
• Effectively interpret and ensure compliance with FMLA and ADA implications as they relate to leaves of absences/disabilities.
• Administer COBRA.
• Administer the tuition reimbursement program.
• Provide necessary reports for allocation/billing charges.

Communication and Organizational Culture:

• Communicate in a positive and professional manner with all internal and external stakeholders.
• Promote the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ensuring that Animal Humane Society is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers and community members.

Technology:

• Utilize HRIS software for payroll operations, accurate record keeping and generating reports.
• Maintain vendor portals for accurate benefit enrollment, record keeping, invoice tracking and payments and procuring necessary reports and data.
• Monitor AHS email and other messaging software.

Other duties as assigned.

Additional Information:

Schedule and Attendance:

• Position is required to work onsite at least two days per week, and it is eligible to work remotely based upon agreement with the role’s manager.
• Regular, predictable attendance, punctuality, and availability to work during operational hours.
• Attend and participate in regular team meetings and 1:1 meetings with direct leader.
• May be required to work at a different site based on department needs.
• May b